The school bell had rung more than 30 minutes ago, but Izuku Midoriya was still in the empty hallway, kneeling on the floor as he picked up scattered pages of his Hero Analysis notebook. Each sheet was crumpled, boot-marked, or bent at the corners.
Bakugo laughs.
"Still here, huh? Quirkless wannabe hero."
Izuku's shoulders stiffened. He hugged the gathered pages tightly and stood up.
"L-Leave me alone!"
Bakugo's eyes narrowed.
"Oh? Talking back now?"
Before Izuku could step away, a long-necked boy snatched the notebook from his hands.
"H-Hey! Give it back!" Izuku leaped, fingers brushing the edge of the cover… only for another boy to grab it and toss it further down the hall. The group laughed.
He chased it anyway. That notebook was the only place where his dreams were still allowed to exist.
Bakugo caught the notebook mid-toss. His palms crackled with tiny sparks.
"Let's rip it a little more."
Izuku said "No… Please Don't!"
Bakugo gripped the notebook and tore it clean through the center, ripping out Izuku's careful notes… hours of observation… sketches… hopes… like they were nothing.
"Heroes don't come from trash," Bakugo said, letting the torn pages fall like dead leaves. "Especially not quirkless TRASH."
Izuku's fingers curled into fists, a spark of anger.
Bakugo noticed.
"Oh? You got a problem?"
He stepped forward, palms popping with small explosions.
Explosions burst inches from Izuku's feet. Izuku flinched, stumbled backward, and fell hard backwards.
Laughter echoed through the empty corridor, as Bakugo and the others turned their backs and walked away.
Soon their footsteps completely faded.
Izuku stayed on the ground for a long moment, breathing slowly.Then, he reached and gathered the torn pages carefully.
Even broken, he couldn't leave it behind. It was still his dream.
Izuku hugged the ruined pages to his chest and pushed himself to his feet. He walked out of the school with his head lowered.
Now, as Izuku sadly walked toward his home, his thoughts swallowed everything else. The world faded into vague colors and distant noise, he wasn't really seeing or hearing anything, too lost in his own head.
But a sound broke him out of it…. A Cry!
Izuku stopped and lifted his head.
Up ahead, in the open construction lot beside the school, Bakugo and the same boys from earlier were gathered in a circle. They were leaning forward with mean excitement
Izuku hesitated but approached them anyway..
"K-Kacchan…?" he called, voice cracking.
Bakugo turned, annoyance already twisting his expression.
"What are you doing here, Deku?"
Izuku opened his mouth to speak… then froze.
A tiny, helpless meow came from inside the circle.
Wedged between two broken tiles was a kitten… small, filthy and trembling.
Bakugo picked up another pebble and flicked it at the kitten.
"STOP…!" Izuku gasped.
First boy snorted. "It's just a stray. Probably diseased."
Second boy shrugged. "Better off putting it out of its misery."
Bakugo scoffed, raising another rock.
"Just die already."
Izuku moved before he could think. He ran between them and the kitten, arms spread out wide.
"NO! Leave it alone!"
Bakugo's eyes narrowed, sparks forming in his palms.
"You wanna get blown up again, Deku?"
Izuku's knees shook.
"J-Just… stop… Please. Please don't hurt it."
Bakugo clicked his tongue. "You never learn."
He grabbed Izuku by the front of his shirt and slammed him down onto the concrete.
"Useless bastard!" Bakugo placed hand on his chest and a small detonation burst directly against Izuku's chest.
Izuku cried out, curling in on himself instinctively.
The other boys stepped in, kicking him as he shielded his head with shaking arms.
"Man, he's so weak," one laughed.
"Can't even protect himself and he wants to be a hero," the other snickered.
Bakugo spit at him.
"Pathetic. Let's go."
Their footsteps faded.
Izuku stayed curled on the ground, tears slid down his cheeks.
The kitten slowly approached him, still trembling and gently licked the grime from his cheek.
Izuku blinked.
"You… you're thanking me?"
The tiny kitten nudged her head against his face, as if trying to comfort him.
Izuku swallowed, pushing himself upright with trembling arms. He reached out and checked the kitten with careful fingers.
"No blood… nothing broken… good. You're okay."
He managed a weak smile, then winced when his chest throbbed.
"There." He set her down. "You're safe now. You… you can go."
He stood, dusted off what he could, and turned to leave.
A desperate, panicked meow split the air.
Izuku froze.
The kitten dashed toward him, grabbed hold of his pant leg with tiny claws, and refused to let go. It shook violently, meowing as though terrified he'd disappear if she released him.
Izuku knelt, his expression softening despite the pain.
"I… hey… you want to come with me?"
He lifted the kitten carefully. She instantly went still.
Izuku held her close and whispered,
"Okay… You can come."
---------------------------
Izuku held the kitten close as he left the construction lot behind. The streetlights flickered on, one by one.
By the time he reached his apartment building, the sky had turned a little dark. He unlocked the door.
The apartment was quiet when Izuku stepped inside.
"Mom…?" he called softly.
No answer.
He peeked into the kitchen and noticed a small note left on the counter.
Inko's handwriting was rushed:
"Sorry, Izuku! Extra shift tonight.
Dinner is in the fridge!"
Suddenly, Izuku winced… as a sharp pain stabbed through his ribs.
"R…Right. That explosion…"
A small meow from his arms pulled him out of his thoughts.
"Oh… You must be hungry…"
He gently set the kitten on the floor, grabbed a bowl, and filled it with milk. The moment he placed it down, she began drinking eagerly.
Izuku smiled… then his expression twisted as soreness flared along his ribs.
"Gh…"
He staggered to the sink, coughing hard.
A metallic taste in his mouth.
He gagged and blood splattered into the sink.
Izuku stared at the red blood for a long moment, shocked.
"…It's… just from earlier," he whispered. "It happens… I'm fine."
He rinsed his mouth, washed the blood away, and forced his breathing to steady.
"I shouldn't worry Mom… She's already working day and night." His voice trembled. "She… doesn't need… more problems because of me…"
His hand pressed gently against his ribs.
"My uniform's torn… Backpack's broken… But I'll have to… use this one for a while."
He slowly removed his school shirt.
A large, dark, almost black-blue circle visible on his chest where Bakugo's explosion had hit.
Izuku's eyes wide-open, he touched it lightly and winced.
He panicked.. Too scared… "I can't show Mom… She'll panic. Hospital bills… cost so much… I'll be fine. It's just bruising. Bruises heal."
Something brushed his foot.
As he looked down, the kitten had approached him again, looking up at him with wide, worried eyes.
Izuku managed a small smile.
"It's okay… see? I'm fine."
He changed in a rush and just tossed his uniform on the chair.
He moved to his bed, lowering himself slowly, careful not to strain the injury. Lying flat made breathing easier, though the ache still pulsed beneath his skin.
"Everyone was right today…" he whispered into the quiet room. "I can't defend myself… I couldn't defend you either…"
His eyes watered, but he blinked hard, forcing the tears back.
He lay there quietly until exhaustion finally pulled him into sleep.
---------------------------
It felt like only a moment had passed.
But then, morning light slipped through the curtains, soft and warm.
Izuku's eyes opened slowly.
Stayed still but he pushed himself up immediately as remembered the kitten.
Izuku looked around, panicked for a heartbeat. Then spotted her curled up on the floor near his desk, sleeping peacefully.
He let out a soft sigh, moved quietly toward the small kitten. He crouched and gently scooped the kitten into his arms. She didn't wake, didn't twitch… just breathed softly, as if lost in some peaceful dream.
"You shouldn't sleep on the floor," he whispered.
He carried her to his bed and set her down carefully, tucking the blanket around her tiny body so she wouldn't get cold.
Izuku smiled and lightly patted her head.
"You're really cute…"
He suddenly realized something, swiftly stood up in shock and froze.
His chest… didn't hurt. Not even a little.
Izuku slowly pressed a hand against his ribs.
No sting. No ache. Nothing.
"…What…" he breathed, confused.
He grabbed his shirt and lifted it, pulling the fabric aside to check.
There was NOTHING on his skin. No bruises. Not even a faint mark.
"Did I… dream it?" His voice shook. "No… I remember… th..the explosion… I remember the taste of… blood… so why…?"
His gaze drifted toward the chair. His uniform wasn't torn. Not a rip. Not a burn mark. The collar looked perfect. The sleeves looked freshly ironed.
Izuku picked up the shirt with trembling hands.
"No… way…"
His backpack lay beside it. The straps were fixed, the fabric clean. And his notebook was on the table… he grabbed it up, eyes widening.
"T-This… This was ruined."
He flipped through the pages rapidly. None were torn. None were missing. Every crease, every rip, every smear of dirt was gone.
He was confused.
"No… This… This doesn't make any sense…"
After a long moment.
"I… I slept all day… did I… imagine it?" he whispered. "Because I was tired…?"
His eyes shifted to the kitten sleeping peacefully on his pillow, the blanket gently rising and falling with her breaths.
"Maybe I… I really was tired…"
"Maybe… maybe I imagined parts of it…"
But the way he said it, he knew something happened..
Before Izuku could think more about it, he nearly jumped when a voice spoke behind him.
"…Imagined what?"
"...!"
Izuku spun around.
"MOM… you're here!"
He rushed out of his room and wrapped his arms tightly around her.
Inko blinked in surprise, then smiled warmly and returned the hug.
"Aww, Izuku… missed me?"
Izuku said "A lot…"
Inko gently patted his hair.
"Well, I'm here now." She leaned back slightly, giving him a look. "But first of all… I prepared food for you yesterday, and you didn't eat anything. Just because… I wasn't home?"
Izuku looked away, rubbing his arm.
"I… I was actually really tired. I fell asleep as soon as I got home. And I just woke up."
Inko raised an eyebrow.
"So tired that you slept almost half the day?"
Izuku nodded.
She sighed softly.
"Alright… I'll let it go this time. Since it's Sunday, I'll be home early." She turned toward the kitchen. "I was actually just preparing breakfast. Do you want something?"
Izuku hesitated.
"I… I'm not really feeling hungry…"
Inko paused and turned back to him.
"Are you alright?"
"Y… yeah. Don't worry. I'm home, so I'll… I'll take something whenever I need it."
Inko sighed again, but nodded.
"Okay… but please eat something this time, even if I'm not around… Promise?"
"Promise."
She nodded.
Izuku shifted nervously.
"Mom… um… yesterday… I found a kitten. And I brought it home."
Inko blinked.
"Ah… well, that's fine! I don't mind if you want a pet."
She smiled.. then froze as eyes landed on the bowl at the ground.
"…WAIT. You didn't give it regular milk, did you?"
Izuku stiffened.
"Well… ah… I did. In that bowl. And she drank it…"
Inko immediately stepped toward him.
"Izuku! Kittens can't drink from bowls! They can choke! You need a syringe.. or at least a tiny bottle!"
Izuku's eyes widened.
"Ah… I didn't know!"
"Honestly, honey…" she sighed. "Next time, just ask me before feeding a baby animal."
"R-right… sorry, Mom…"
Inko softened.
"Where is she now?"
Izuku swiftly said "In my room. Sleeping."
"Alright, let's check on her. Hopefully she's fine."
They walked into Izuku's room. Inko leaned over the bed where the kitten slept peacefully.
"Hmm… she looks okay. No coughing. No bloating. That's good."
Izuku nodded in relief.
"I'm glad…"
Inko straightened.
"But regular milk still isn't great for her. She's too little."
She headed into the kitchen and rummaged through the drawers. Izuku watched from the doorway as she filled a small pot with warm water, mixed something soft and creamy into it, then poured the mixture into a cup.
"Okay… this'll do."
She cleaned a regular syringe, removed the needle, and carefully drew the mixture into the barrel.
"Here." She handed it to Izuku. "This is her formula. It's not perfect, but it's much better than milk. Feed her slowly… drop by drop, okay?"
Izuku held the syringe carefully.
"O… okay. I can do that."
Inko smiled.
"Just be gentle. If you need help, call me at work."
He nodded.
"Alright… I really need to go now."
"Be safe, Mom…"
She ruffled his hair.
"I will. And make sure you eat, okay? And feed the kitten every few hours."
"I'll take care of her."
Inko grabbed her bag and opened the door.
"See you tonight, sweetheart."
"Bye, Mom…"
The door closed softly behind her.
Izuku stood there for a moment, staring at nothing in particular, the kitten asleep in his room.
"Something happened…" he whispered to the empty room.
"But I don't know what happened…"
---------------------------
~ Four Years Later
Izuku Midoriya was fifteen now. He was tall but too thin. He barely slept, and it showed. Scars covered his arms under his sleeves, and his tired eyes proved he'd been struggling for a long time.
School hadn't gotten easier.
If anything, the bullying had grown worse.
Every single day felt like a battle he wasn't equipped to win.
But he never stopped taking care of the kitten.
She was no longer small or trembling. Now she was a sleek, elegant cat with beautiful eyes. She slept at his feet, followed him through the apartment, and curled against his chest whenever he cried.
She was the only reason he didn't break.
---------------------------
~ The Last Day of Middle School
Izuku walked home slowly, his uniform wrinkled, his notebook held together with strips of worn tape.
Another day of Bakugo`s taunts, explosions, and the other kids laughing behind him
He barely noticed when the street ahead fell silent.
Then…
Smoke.
Screaming.
Debris scattered across the road.
Izuku's head snapped up.
A massive sludge villain wrapped itself around a struggling figure, squeezing tighter and tighter. The victim's gasps were barely audible beneath the chaos.
Izuku's breath caught.
"K… Kacchan…?!"
Pro heroes stood nearby.
Watching.
Analyzing.
Announcing plans.
But not acting.
Izuku didn't hesitate.
He dropped his backpack and sprinted straight into the chaos.
He didn't think.
He never did when someone was in danger.
"LET HIM GO!!"
The sludge villain snarled and lashed out, wrapping a tentacle around a parked car and hurling it forward.
Izuku froze.
The car flew toward him like a metal meteor.
This is it…
I'm going to die…
He shut his eyes.
…..
Silence.
Izuku opened them slowly.
The car hovered inches from his face.
Not moving.
Not falling.
Not even vibrating.
Completely frozen.
Izuku stumbled backward, breath shaking.
"Wh… what…?"
"The car… it stopped…?"
He looked around.
The smoke hung motionless in the air.
The sludge villain was frozen mid-laugh.
The heroes stood like statues.
"E-Everything… stopped…"
He turned in a slow circle, panic and disbelief crashing together.
"Am I… dead?"
He reached out and touched the floating car.
Cold. Solid.
"Did the world… actually stop?" His voice trembled. "And why… can I still move…?"
Then he saw Bakugo.
Trapped. Helpless.
Izuku's chest tightened.
"…Yeah," he whispered. "I think… I can save him."
He stepped forward.
"I can do this… I HAVE to do this…"
Taking a deep breath, Izuku grabbed Bakugo's arm and pulled.
Bakugo slipped free.
Izuku stumbled backward with him, both crashing onto the pavement. The sludge villain snapped back violently, recoiling like a stretched rubber band released all at once.
Izuku flinched and scrambled back, grabbing his backpack.
The moment he grabbed his backpack….
Sound rushed back into the world.
Wind roared.
The suspended car crashed to the ground behind him.
The heroes gasped.
Bakugo blinked, suddenly free.
Izuku stepped back, blending into the crowd before anyone could focus on him.
His heart hammered wildly in his chest.
- I stopped time…
- His hands trembled.
- I actually… Saved Kacchan.
He ducked through side streets, his mind replaying those impossible seconds over and over. The way everything had stopped.
Some time later, Izuku reached his destination and unlocked the door to his apartment.
Silence greeted him.
He slipped off his shoes and walked toward his room, glancing at the bed.
Liri was still there, curled up and sleeping peacefully.
"She's still sleeping…?" he murmured.
He moved into the kitchen, intending to grab something quick to eat…
Then stopped.
Something lay on the floor near the door.
A letter.
Plain, cream-colored paper, sealed with red wax.
Izuku frowned and bent down to pick it up.
The address was written neatly across the front:
Mr. Izuku Midoriya
Apartment 17-B
Aldera District, Japan
"…What?" His brows knit together. "Someone sent me a letter?"
He carefully opened it.
Dear Mr. Midoriya,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry…
Izuku blinked.
Then burst into laughter.
"Hogwarts? A magic school?" He laughed again, louder this time. "Okay… okay, good one."
He wiped his eyes, still chuckling.
"These pranks are getting out of hand. Really nice joke… whoever did this."
He tossed the letter onto the table without another glance.
"Magic isn't real," he muttered. "Quirks exist. Not magic. This is just some… weird prank."
Forcing himself to focus, Izuku pulled out his phone.
He searched:
( Career options after middle school… no quirk)
Delivery jobs.
Driver.
Factory worker.
Convenience store clerk.
"I can never be a hero…" he whispered. "I don't have a quirk. Why did I even try for so long?"
Another page.
Then another.
Nothing gave him direction.
Nothing gave him hope.
"…I should just get a regular job," he murmured. "Help Mom."
The clock ticked past 7:00 PM.
Then…
The front door opened.
"Izuku! I'm home!"
Inko stepped inside, arms full of grocery bags, smiling brightly.
"Look! They had a sale on vegetables and I brought your favorite fruit too!"
Izuku glanced at the bags.
"That's… a lot."
She laughed. "I thought we could cook something nice together tonight."
Her eyes drifted to his phone.
"…You know," she added gently, "there are lots of paths you can take. You don't have to decide everything right now."
Izuku watched her quietly.
"Do you want dinner now or later?" she asked.
He stood up.
"Sit down. I'll cook today."
Inko blinked. "Oh? Why not together?"
"Well… if you want."
They stood side by side at the counter, chopping vegetables. For a moment, everything felt normal.
Then…
Inko's humming stopped. Her eyes drifted to the table.
On the letter.
Her smile faded instantly.
"Izuku…" she said softly. "What is that?"
Izuku followed her gaze.
"Oh... That? It says I got accepted into some… non-existent school named Hogwarts. It's a prank. Probably someone from school is messing with me again."
Inko forced a smile.
"Y… yeah. It can't be real."
Before Izuku could respond…
KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.
Izuku blinked.
"I'll check."
He walked to the door and opened it.
"…What-"
He slowly looked up.
A giant stood in the doorway.
Not just tall.
Enormous.
Nearly nine feet tall, broad-shouldered, young, and filling the entire frame.
The man smiled warmly.
"Hello," he said. "Name's Reed Hagrid. I'm from Hogwarts."
Izuku stood frozen.
"What?" Inko's voice came sharply from behind him. "Who is it?"
Izuku didn't look away.
"H… he says he's from Hogwarts…"
Inko rushed over, wiping her hands on her apron.
"Izuku," she said firmly. "Go to your room."
"…."
"Go to your room. NOW."
Izuku hesitated… then nodded.
"Okay…"
Izuku walked into his room and quietly closed the door behind him.
On the other side, Reed Hagrid waited until the soft click echoed through the apartment before stepping fully inside.
He ducked beneath the doorframe, careful not to hit his head or break anything.
They sat across from one another in the small living room.
Inko folded her hands tightly in her lap.
"Mr. Hagrid…" Her voice trembled. "My son has no magic. I… I was born without magic myself. And his father… he was a normal human. How can Izuku attend Hogwarts without magic?"
Reed Hagrid studied her quietly for a moment, his gaze thoughtful.
"Mrs. Midoriya," he said gently, "we'll talk about Izuku in just a moment. But first… may I ask you something?"
Inko stiffened.
"…Yes?"
"Did you have a sister?"
Her hands began to shake.
"…Yes. An older sister." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "She was a witch… She died… many years ago."
Reed nodded slowly.
"She died when I was ten."
Inko looked up sharply.
"What…?"
He took a breath.
"Your sister," he said softly, "was my mother."
"That can't… no…" Inko shook her head, disbelief flooding her face.
"I didn't know either when I came here," Reed said. "But you look almost exactly like her."
He exhaled deeply.
"So yes… we're family. Which means Izuku CAN have magic. The bloodline didn't end."
Inko's voice wavered.
"But I was completely… m-magicless. And Izuku… he showed no signs. Not once."
"That's where things get complicated," Reed replied, leaning forward.
"Complicated… how?"
"I know what you've been through," he said quietly. "Growing up as a Squib in a magic family. Feeling powerless. Left out."
Inko lowered her gaze.
"But right now," Reed continued, "you need to think about your son. If Izuku doesn't get proper guidance… if his magic keeps surging the way it has… he could suffer... Badly."
Inko's breath caught.
"And that would hurt you just as much."
"But…" she said shakily, "Hogwarts sends letters at eleven. He's fifteen. That's far too late."
"Aye. Normally," Reed agreed. "But this isn't a normal case."
"For the past four years, the authorities have been detecting magical signals. Strong ones. From this area." He looked straight at her. "From Izuku."
Inko blinked in shock.
"But every time they checked," he continued, "they found nothing. No magic. No trace at all."
"See?" she said quickly. "I told you he…"
"Let me finish."
Reed raised his wand slightly and pointed toward Izuku's closed bedroom door.
"He DID something recently."
The door swung open.
Izuku tumbled forward, landing awkwardly on the floor. He had been leaning against it, listening.
"I… I…" He scrambled to his feet. "I wasn't listening… I mean… I… "
Reed burst into laughter.
"Go on then, lad," he said warmly. "Tell your mum what happened today."
Izuku swallowed.
"N… nothing happened…"
Reed raised a brow.
"We already know."
Izuku hesitated, then nodded.
"…Yeah. The time… Paused."
Reed's expression turned serious.
"The authorities detected a massive magical surge," he said. "Wild. Unstable. Strong enough to be life-threatening if left unchecked."
Izuku's breath hitched.
"L… life-threatening…?"
"Aye," Reed nodded. "Not on purpose, mind you. But uncontrolled magic can tear the caster apart."
Inko stood abruptly.
"He's fifteen… he knows nothing… he can't control it… this is…" Her voice cracked as panic took hold.
"And that's exactly why he needs help," Reed said firmly.
"I'm a professor at Hogwarts," he continued. "And I promise you, Aunt… I'll do everything I can to take care of him."
"He won't be placed with eleven-year-olds. He'll study with students his own age… students who can defend themselves if something happens."
Izuku clenched his fists.
"I don't want to hurt anyone…"
"That's exactly why you need control, lad."
Inko wiped at her eyes.
"If this wasn't about Izuku's safety," she said quietly, "I would never agree to send my son to that place."
Reed nodded.
"So… will you let him join Hogwarts?"
She hesitated, then looked at Izuku.
"If… if Hogwarts is the only place that can keep him safe," she whispered, "then yes."
Izuku felt something brush against his leg.
"Liri…?" He bent down and scooped the cat into his arms. "She's kind of my only friend."
Reed chuckled warmly.
"Aye, lad. That's a good thing. You'll be allowed to bring her with you."
Izuku's eyes widened.
"R-Really?"
Reed nodded.
"Hogwarts allows owls, toads, and cats. Yer Liri fits just fine."
Izuku hugged her closer.
---------------------------
Reed left not long after that, instructing Izuku to pack whatever he needed. He would return in the morning, and once he did, they would buy everything required and head straight to Hogwarts.
True to his word, Reed arrived right on time.
With Liri safely inside a small carrier, Izuku followed him through the city until they reached a quiet, narrow alleyway.
Reed stopped in front of a plain brick wall.
"At first," he said calmly, "this is gonna look a bit strange."
Izuku tilted his head.
"Stranger than stopping time?"
Reed grinned.
"Fair point."
He raised his wand and tapped a specific brick.
The wall shifted.
Stone slid aside, revealing a bustling street filled with color, motion, and magic.
Izuku's breath caught.
Shops stretched endlessly in both directions. Witches and wizards walked past in flowing robes. Magical creatures peeked from cages.
"Is this…" Izuku whispered. "Is this real? This place…"
Reed chuckled.
"Welcome to Diagon Alley, Izuku."
---------------------------
Their first stop was Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.
Measuring tapes flew through the air on their own, wrapping around Izuku's arms and legs, tugging and adjusting while pins hovered close to his skin. He froze in place, eyes wide with panic.
Reed laughed loudly.
"Aye, stay still. It's all part of the process."
By the time they left, Izuku had fitted Hogwarts robes, a winter cloak, house-neutral accessories, and a warm scarf folded neatly under his arm.
Next came the bookstore.
Izuku stepped inside and stopped short.
Books filled the shelves from floor to ceiling.
"So many…" he breathed, picking up a book on magical creatures. "Liri, do you think I'll meet all of them?"
Liri meowed flatly, as if to say absolutely not… but dream if you want.
They bought everything he needed:
Magical Theory. History of Magic. A Standard Book of Spells. A Beginner's Guide.
Reed added extras… brass cauldron, potion ingredients, quills and ink, a self-stirring spoon, and protective gloves.
As they stepped back into the street, Izuku glanced down at his pouch.
It felt light.
Very light.
He counted the remaining coins slowly. Most of the wizarding currency his mother had saved for years… was gone.
Reed noticed.
"Don't worry, lad," he said gently. "The wand's the last thing we need."
Izuku nodded, nerves tightening as they entered the wand shop.
The shopkeeper studied Izuku intently.
"A difficult case," he muttered. "Let's begin."
Two hours passed.
The shop descended into chaos.
Boxes were scattered everywhere. Wand after wand rejected Izuku…
Izuku lowered the wand.
The shopkeeper sighed deeply.
"Boy… I'm afraid you might be a mugg-"
BANG.
Reed slammed his massive hand onto the counter.
"Mind your language," he growled. "That lad's got magic. That's THAT."
The shopkeeper swallowed.
"My apologies, Mr. Hagrid."
Reed crossed his arms.
"Is there anything left in this shop?"
The man hesitated.
"…There is. One wand. Five centuries old. It rejects everyone."
Reed's eyes sharpened.
"We'll see it."
The shopkeeper disappeared into the back room and returned holding an ancient box.
"The Aether-Heart wand," he said quietly, opening it.
Reed stared.
"This is real? I thought it was just a rumor."
The shopkeeper turned to Izuku.
"It will almost certainly reject you as well."
Izuku hesitated… then reached out and picked it up.
Nothing happened.
The shopkeeper shook his head.
"See? It rejects-"
The wand began to shine.
Light pulsed through the wood, warm and steady.
The shopkeeper staggered back, horrified.
"IMPOSSIBLE… That wand has rejected the strongest professors… Aurors… masters of magic…"
Reed's eyes gleamed.
"…It chose him."
"But… but this wand is priceless," the shopkeeper stammered. "Ancient. Irreplaceable."
Izuku swallowed and gently placed it back.
"It seems extremely expensive."
Liri stared at the wand, tail flicking.
Reed stepped closer to the counter.
"Don't mess with me. Name the price."
"S-sir…?"
Reed rested a hand on Izuku's shoulder.
"I'm buying this for my… little brother."
The shopkeeper sighed.
"Then… the Aether-Heart wand belongs to Izuku Midoriya."
Reed paid without hesitation.
Then, they walked out of Diagon Alley and continued down a quiet side street.
There, waiting for them, stood a massive black motorcycle… so large Izuku wondered if it had been built for giants.
Reed exhaled and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Are you okay?" Izuku asked.
"Yeah. Forgot something," Reed admitted. "I was told not to leave you alone for even a second, but… can you stay here for a moment?"
"…Uh. Yeah. I can."
Reed lifted all of Izuku's belongings, leaving only Liri's carrier behind.
"You keep the cat. She shouldn't be left alone."
He rushed back into Diagon Alley and returned barely a minute later.
"All right," Reed said cheerfully. "Your belongings have already been sent to Hogwarts. Safe and sound."
Izuku blinked.
"Wh… what?"
"Aye. Magical transport's faster than it looks."
Reed climbed onto the motorcycle.
"Hop onto the… uh… whatever that seat's called."
"Sidecar."
"Yeah. Sidecar."
Izuku nodded and climbed in, holding Liri close.
The engine roared to life.
"Hold on tight!" Reed called.
The motorcycle lifted off the ground, shot forward at a very high speed
Reed laughed as Izuku was getting scared
"NEXT STOP… HOGWARTS!!!"
---------------------------
After a very long ride.
The motorcycle descended.
Stone towers rose out of the darkness like something pulled straight from a legend.
The motorcycle landed just outside the castle grounds.
Izuku stepped out of the sidecar slowly, staring.
The castle loomed above him… ancient, vast. Towers stretched into the night sky. Magic hummed in the air.
Reed watched his expression and smiled softly.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?"
"Yes," Izuku whispered.
"Aye…" Reed scratched his beard. "I might've forgotten to remind you to change into your robes."
Izuku blinked.
"…Oh."
Reed waved it off.
"Ah, it'll be fine, lad. Come on… follow me!"
They stepped through the enormous wooden doors.
Warm candlelight flickered from floating lanterns. Portraits whispered as they passed, eyes following Izuku's every step.
Reed led him straight through another set of massive doors…
And into the Great Hall.
Noise exploded.
Hundreds of students laughed, talked, clinked goblets and forks…
Then…
Silence.
Every sound died the moment Reed and Izuku stepped inside.
All eyes turned toward them.
Izuku shifted uncomfortably.
Reed leaned down and whispered,
"Keep yer chin up. They stare at everyone new."
At the staff table, Headmistress McGonagall stood immediately.
"Everyone," her voice echoed through the hall, "tonight we welcome a new student joining us under exceptionally rare circumstances."
She gestured.
"This is Izuku Midoriya."
Murmurs rippled through the hall.
"He will not be joining the first-years. Instead, Mr. Midoriya will be sorted into the year group appropriate for his age."
The whispers grew louder.
"Mr. Midoriya possesses extraordinary magical power which has gone untrained for many years," McGonagall continued. "His abilities are… highly unpredictable."
Izuku swallowed.
"Therefore, he is to be treated with care, patience, and above all… respect."
"He will be receiving guidance from multiple professors," McGonagall finished, "including Professor Reed Hagrid."
Reed puffed up proudly.
"Now," she said, "let us proceed with his sorting."
Reed gently took the cat carrier from Izuku's hands.
"Go on."
Izuku walked toward the old wooden stool, legs stiff.
Professor Harry Potter stepped forward, holding the famous Sorting Hat.
"Don't be scared," he said kindly. "You'll be alright."
Izuku sat.
The hat slipped down over his eyes.
"Hmmm…" the Sorting Hat murmured.
"Well now… what do we have here…?"
Izuku held his breath.
"Bravery," the hat hummed. "Oh yes… more than most adults possess. Always thinking of others… even when it hurts you."
The hall was silent.
"A heart that wants to save everyone… yet filled with fear… and loneliness."
Izuku clenched his hands.
"…Strange," the hat continued. "Very strange indeed…"
"W-what's wrong?" Izuku whispered.
"I can't sense it," the hat replied. "Your magic. Where is it?"
Gasps rippled through the hall.
"This is unprecedented," the hat muttered. "You're brave enough for Gryffindor. Clever enough for Ravenclaw. Kind enough for Hufflepuff. Determined and Sharp enough for Slytherin."
The whispers grew.
"But without sensing your magic… I cannot judge your true nature. I cannot place you properly."
"You feel like… an empty vessel."
Whispers broke out:
"Did you hear that?"
"He has no magic?"
"Then why is he here?"
"This boy is a fraud!"
Izuku heard every word.
Before the hat could speak again…
Reed stormed forward.
He snatched the Sorting Hat off Izuku's head.
"That's enough gawking!" Reed roared.
He turned sharply to the staff table.
"Headmistress McGonagall… we need to talk."
She nodded gravely.
"Yes. I believe we must make this decision ourselves."
All four Heads of House stood together:
Harry Potter - Gryffindor
Hermione Granger - Ravenclaw
Reed Hagrid - Hufflepuff
Morgin Revaris - Slytherin
"The hat cannot place Mr. Midoriya," McGonagall said, "due to lack of detectable magical aura."
"We cannot place him in Ravenclaw," Hermione said firmly. "His foundation is nonexistent. He'd fall behind instantly."
"He cannot join Slytherin," Revaris sneered. "Unpredictable power with no control is a danger."
"And Gryffindor," Harry added quietly, "bravery alone isn't enough."
McGonagall sighed.
"Until we confirm the nature of his magic… placing him anywhere is a risk."
Reed slammed his palm on the table.
"With respect, Headmistress… no one knows his situation!"
He took a breath.
"Let him join Hufflepuff. I'll watch over him myself."
"Any other volunteers?" McGonagall asked.
Harry stepped forward.
"I didn't say he can't be in Gryffindor. He would suit us well. And I'd like to help him grow."
Reed turned sharply.
"Mr. Potter… could you just… step aside? I want that boy."
"It's not a competition, Reed."
"It is… when he's my cousin."
McGonagall's eyes sharpened.
"Oh… I heard every word."
"You… heard everything?"
"All of it," she said calmly. "And precisely because of that connection… I cannot allow you to take him. Your judgment may be clouded."
Reed grit his teeth.
"Head…"
She raised a hand.
"Mr. Potter is the better choice. He has experience guiding students. You are new to it."
Reed exhaled.
"…Alright. Fine."
McGonagall turned to the hall.
"Izuku Midoriya is sorted into Gryffindor!"
Applause erupted from the Gryffindor table… loud and welcoming.
Izuku stood slowly from the chair.
Harry placed a steady hand on his shoulder and smiled.
"Welcome to Gryffindor, Midoriya."